Return to halls | University of Reading

Return to halls for 2025/26 - applications open soon!

Applications for returner accommodation for 2025/26 will open soon. You will receive an email closer to the application opening date with further details, so keep an eye on your emails if you are interested in returning to halls in September 2025!. Please be aware that applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis and that while we try to keep the Portal up to date, the rooms displayed on the portal do not necessarily reflect actual availability but provides us with an indication of your preferred choices. Please add any specific requests or relevant information to ‘further notes’ section at the end of the application.

If you are looking for a room available immediately, please go to our Available Rooms webpage.

Returning to halls is a popular choice among University of Reading students – in fact it is so popular we currently have over 1,200 returners living in halls! There are loads of reasons to consider returning to halls next year:

Fixed prices - all of our rents are inclusive so there are no unexpected bills to pay. Includes high-speed WIFI, regular communal area cleaning and free basic contents insurance.
Group bookings - apply for an individual room or as a group and live with friends.
Wide range of room types - including Quieter Lifestyle rooms
40 and 51 week licences available - Stay over Summer with 51 week licences; lower weekly room rate on select room types.
24/7 support - 24/7 access to the Halls Hotline and the Home at Halls app to deal with any halls related issues.
Resident Events with Home at Halls - exclusive resident access to the exciting program of free events run by Home at Halls.
Great locations on campus - all accommodation is located either on the Whiteknights campus or within a 15-minute walk.
Safe and secure - your accommodation is monitored by 24/7 CCTV and regular security patrols.

We’d love to welcome you back to halls in September 2025!

Please add any specific requests or relevant information to the 'further notes' section at the end of the application. For any urgent queries, please contact the Accommodation Office via accommodationonline@reading.ac.uk.

Application process

How to apply

During the application process it is very important you pay close attention to your emails to ensure you meet all deadlines. All deadlines are final and non-moveable. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your junk email folder in case the emails inadvertently get directed there.

Go to the RISIS web portal
Click ‘Actions’ from the top menu
Select ‘Accommodation’ from the drop-down list
Click on the link ‘Connect to Accommodation Online’ to take you to the Returner Individual application form

Can I stay in my current room?
It will be unlikely you stay in your current room. You should be prepared to move to a new room if you are made a new offer of accommodation for next academic year.
For students currently with a 51-week contract, if you would like to book the same room for next year, please let us know in the free text comments in your application.

Will I get my first preference for a room?
We try our hardest to allocate rooms to students based on their first preference; however, this is not always possible. That’s why we ask you to pick a minimum of five choices with the more choices you make, the better we’re able to meet your requirements.

If you are not satisfied with your accommodation offer, please discuss this with the Accommodation Office first, before rejecting your offer.

What if I have special requirements?

Students registered with the DAS team who require a room in halls for the next academic year should apply between the same dates.

What if I am coming back as a Postgraduate student and am currently an Undergraduate?

If you are currently studying as an Undergraduate but would like to apply for accommodation for your new Postgraduate course, then please apply for accommodation via the ‘New Postgraduate’ pathway, not the returner pathway. The Accommodation Guarantee will apply to you as you are a ‘new postgraduate’. Visit our dedicated page on applying for university accommodation for more information.

Student Type	Advice	Application
Student Type	Advice	Returner	New Student
DAS	Please state within the notes section your requirements and that you are registered with DAS.	✔
Study Abroad/ Erasmus	Please apply as normal and state within the notes section you are considering applying to Study Abroad. If you accept a full year Study Abroad, you may cancel before 31st July. You will be required to provide evidence of this from Study Abroad. If you are coming to Reading as a Study Abroad or Erasmus student for one term only, you should apply as a new student using the Study Abroad pathway.	✔
Placement	Please apply as normal and state within the notes section you are considering applying for a Placement. If you accept a full year Placement, you may cancel before 31st July. You will be required to provide evidence of this from your Placement Coordinator.	✔

Am I eligible to apply for a returners place in halls?

Can I apply for family accommodation?

For September 2025 arrivals, we will be opening our applications for family accommodation room types in April 2024.

Accommodation suitable for families is very limited and therefore the majority are reserved for new families moving to Reading who are not able to seek accommodation in the private sector.

Students who require family accommodation for subsequent academic years will need to seek accommodation in the private sector (see our advice on private accommodation for further information).

How do I apply as part of a group?

Groups of up to four can apply via the Returner Group pathway on the RISIS accommodation portal (up to 8 in a Townhouse).

All members of the group will need to create their own application. They will need to ensure they select the same Room Type, Hall, and Contract Length preferences, in the same order.

All members of the group will need to submit their application on the same day, preferably at the same time.

The group will need to decide on a unique group name (this can be anything, but best to keep it simple). You will be asked to enter your Group Reference Name on the final page of your application. All members will need to enter the same Group Reference Name so that the Accommodation team can link your applications together. Please ensure you click ‘Join’ to be added to the group.

All students will need to be up to date with all accommodation payments to avoid delays in processing their application.

Delays due to debt, differing preferences, or incorrect group names may cause a member to be separated from their group.

Will I get my first preference for a room?

We try our hardest to allocate rooms to students based on their first preference; however, this is not always possible. That’s why we ask you to pick a minimum of three choices, with a maximum of five as with the more choices you make, the better we’re able to meet your requirements.

Please note: We try our hardest to allocate rooms to students based on their first preference; however, this is not always possible. If you are not satisfied with your accommodation offer please discuss this with the Accommodation Office first, before rejecting your offer.